This past Saturday, the Canton Repository published a very thorough story about the legal challenge filed against Stark County Democratic County Commissioner Tom Bernabei's 'Independent' candidacy for mayor of the City of Canton.
If you have yet to read it, we suggest it is worth a look;
Bernabei's candidacy challenged
Basically, a number of Canton City Council members, the Stark County Democratic Party, and the Ohio Democratic Party are asking the Stark County Elections Board to reject Bernabei's independent candidacy because Bernabei really isn't an independent, and may not even be a Canton resident.
Our favorite quote from the article comes from the challenge document itself -
"At best, Bernabei's candidacy is nothing more than an attempt to capitalize on a political opportunity through tactical maneuvering in order to achieve short-range political goals."
(The Canton Repository, May 30, 2015)
"political opportunity through tactical maneuvering?"
We are shocked, just shocked!
This sort of thing could never happen in Massillon!
Our former mayor, who definitely lives in the City of Champions (albeit in the Perry School District), has 'Independent' blood coursing through his veins.
He isn't doing the exact same thing Tom Bernabei is accused of doing, pretending to be an 'Independent,' while overwhelming evidence would lead most reasonable people to believe he is still a Democrat.
Oh no, not Frank Cicchinelli.
He hasn't declared his 'Independence' merely so he could avoid a Democratic primary against the women who kicked his behind just four years ago.
Nope.
Frank Cicchinelli has truly seen the light!
"In Massillon, Francis Cicchinelli, Jr., who said he lost faith in the party years ago following decades as a Democrat, also has filed a petition to run as an independent against the sitting mayor in the general election."
(The Canton Repository, May 30, 2015).
"he lost faith in the party years ago"
"years ago"
Except, and we hate to be picky here, but he kept signing those Democratic Petitions for Candidate just a few months ago, not "years ago."
You know, those pesky documents where it states, "We, the undersigned qualified electors of the State of Ohio, whose
voting residence is in the county, city, village, or township, set
opposite our names, and members of the Democratic Party..."
And then they state, "Signatures on this petition should be from only one county and must be written in ink. Signatures on this petition shall be of persons who are of the same political party as stated above by the candidate."
Cicchinelli was the first signer on a Democratic Petition for Candidate for J. David Ress, Democratic candidate for mayor, the office Cicchinelli is also running for.
And
Cicchinelli was the first signer on a Democratic Petition for Candidate for Jill Creamer, Democratic candidate for city council in Massillon's 4th Ward.
And
Cicchinelli signed a Democratic Petition for Candidate for Paul Manson, Democratic candidate for Massillon Council at Large.
All 3 Petitions for Candidate signed in the last few months.
Just this year.
Not, "years ago."
And just last year, Frank Cicchinelli was the first signer on a Petition for Candidate for his wife, Joy, so she could serve on the Central Committee... for the Democratic party.
No, what Tom Bernabei is being accused of doing is clearly different than what former 38 year Massillon Democratic officeholder Frank Cicchinelli is doing.
Frank Cicchinelli would never, "attempt to capitalize on a political opportunity through tactical maneuvering in order to achieve short-range political goals."
Absolutely not!
Frank Cicchinelli simply lost his faith "years ago."
